Hamburg Area Looks to Build on Year One Under Hartranft
The 2026 season represents an important step forward for Hamburg Area football.
After finishing 2-8 in head coach Tyler Hartranft’s first season, the Hawks enter Year Two with a much different outlook. While last year’s record was not what the program envisioned, the foundation has been established, and a large group of returning players now has valuable varsity experience.
Hamburg was competitive in several close contests during 2025, defeating Midd-West 22-21 and Kutztown 21-20 while falling by 10 points or fewer in games against Pequea Valley and Schuylkill Valley. Those experiences have become valuable teaching moments as the Hawks prepare for another challenging Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 5 schedule.
The coaching staff believes the combination of another offseason in the weight room, improved familiarity with the system and returning skill-position talent gives Hamburg an opportunity to take a significant step forward this fall.
“We return a lot of our skill players from the 2025 season who gained valuable varsity experience, and we’re excited about their growth,” the coaching staff said. “This will be Year Two in our system, and we feel the foundation of our program has been established. Now it’s about taking the next step.”
McFadden Takes Command of the Offense
One of the biggest storylines entering the season is the continued development of sophomore quarterback Isaac McFadden.
McFadden gained valuable varsity experience as a freshman and now enters his first full season as the unquestioned leader of the offense.
A year of experience in Hartranft’s system should allow him to play with greater confidence and command. The coaching staff expects him to make quicker reads, improve his timing in the passing game and become more comfortable managing the offense before the snap.
The sophomore won’t be asked to carry the offense alone.
Instead, Hamburg will surround McFadden with an experienced group of skill players and lean on a balanced offensive attack designed to keep defenses guessing.
His continued growth could ultimately determine how much the Hawks improve offensively in 2026.
Experienced Skill Players Return
Hamburg returns one of its deepest collections of offensive playmakers in recent years.
Senior running back Blaise Ernst headlines the backfield after gaining valuable varsity experience last season. Ernst brings toughness, vision and versatility to the offense and should be a focal point of the rushing attack.
Junior Bryce Schmeck provides another proven option at running back. His physical running style complements Ernst and gives Hamburg the ability to rotate backs while maintaining production.
The receiving corps also returns significant experience.
Senior Owen Bentz gives McFadden a dependable outside target. Bentz has the ability to stretch the field vertically while also creating yards after the catch.
Senior Alex Soto returns to provide another experienced receiving option. His familiarity with the offense should help ease the quarterback’s development and give Hamburg balance in the passing game.
The combination of Ernst, Schmeck, Bentz and Soto gives the Hawks multiple ways to attack defenses.
Rather than relying on one offensive star, Hamburg has the personnel to distribute touches and force opponents to defend the entire field.
Offensive Line Continues to Develop
The biggest challenge offensively will be replacing several experienced linemen.
The graduation of Astian Reppert, John Sharp and Cayden Mason leaves significant holes up front.
Fortunately for the Hawks, junior Waylon Gaffney, junior Jacob Wagner and sophomore Aiden Pepe all return with varsity experience.
That trio will be responsible for leading a line that features several younger players stepping into expanded roles.
Hamburg’s offensive success begins in the trenches.
The Hawks want to establish the running game early, protect McFadden and reduce negative plays. Improved consistency along the offensive line would allow the coaching staff to utilize more of the playbook and keep defenses off balance.
The continued development of the younger linemen throughout the season could become one of the biggest keys to Hamburg’s success.
Year Two Should Bring More Offensive Efficiency
Learning a new offensive system often takes time.
Now entering its second season under Hartranft, Hamburg expects the offense to operate with greater confidence and efficiency.
Players have another offseason of experience in the scheme, understand terminology and should be able to play faster.
The coaching staff hopes those improvements lead to longer drives, better third-down production and more scoring opportunities.
Hamburg scored more than 20 points in four games last season but struggled to maintain consistency against several of the stronger teams on the schedule.
The goal this season is to become a more complete offensive football team capable of sustaining success throughout four quarters.
Veteran Secondary Leads the Defense
Defensively, Hamburg returns experience at every level, but the secondary may be the strength of the unit.
Senior Andrew Arroyo returns at safety and provides leadership on the back end.
Bentz returns at cornerback after contributing on both sides of the football, while Ernst also returns at safety to give Hamburg another experienced defensive back.
Junior Elijah Metzler returns at corner, and junior Logan Warke along with sophomore Landon Colson provide additional depth and experience at safety.
Having several returning defensive backs gives the Hawks flexibility in coverage and should improve communication against the pass.
The coaching staff hopes that continuity translates into fewer explosive plays allowed and more opportunities to create turnovers.
Linebackers Bring Experience
The linebacker corps returns several players who gained valuable varsity experience in 2025.
Senior Alexander Valentino provides veteran leadership inside.
Schmeck returns after contributing on both sides of the football and gives the Hawks another physical defender capable of making plays against the run.
Sophomore Aiden Pepe also returns after seeing varsity action as a freshman.
That group should continue improving with another year in the defensive system.
Hamburg wants its linebackers to play aggressively while maintaining sound gap discipline against the run.
Their ability to tackle consistently and communicate with the secondary will be critical against the balanced offenses found throughout Lancaster-Lebanon League play.
Gaffney Anchors Defensive Front
The defensive line experienced significant graduation losses with Reppert, Sawyer Smith, Sharp and Mason all departing.
Junior Waylon Gaffney returns as the most experienced player up front.
Gaffney will be expected to anchor the defensive front while helping younger linemen adjust to varsity competition.
The Hawks need the defensive line to improve its ability to control the line of scrimmage and create pressure without relying heavily on blitzes.
Doing so would allow the linebackers to flow freely to the football and help the experienced secondary make plays.
Replacing the production of four graduated linemen won’t happen overnight, but the coaching staff believes the younger players have made noticeable progress during the offseason.
Special Teams Returns Stability
Hamburg returns nearly its entire special teams operation.
Junior Bryce Schmeck returns as the team’s punter after gaining valuable experience last season.
Sophomore Aron Moser returns to handle kicking duties and also provides depth at punter.
Sophomore Aiden Pepe returns as the long snapper, while sophomore Noah Menapace returns as the holder.
That continuity should allow the Hawks to build confidence in one of football’s often-overlooked phases.
Special teams can be the difference in close games, and Hamburg expects this unit to become a strength.
Winning the field-position battle will be especially important against several of the league’s top opponents.
Strong Offseason Raises Expectations
One of the biggest reasons for optimism is the work the players have put in since last fall.
The coaching staff has praised the team’s commitment in the weight room and believes the offseason has produced noticeable physical improvements across the roster.
That added strength should benefit Hamburg in all three phases of the game.
A stronger offensive line can better establish the running game.
A more physical defensive front can better compete against opposing rushing attacks.
Improved conditioning should also allow the Hawks to maintain a higher level of play throughout games.
Those gains may not immediately show in the win-loss column, but they are important building blocks for the program’s long-term growth.
Players to Watch
Isaac McFadden, So., QB: Second-year quarterback expected to take a major step forward after gaining valuable varsity experience as a freshman.
Blaise Ernst, Sr., RB/S: Veteran two-way playmaker who will lead the running game while also starting in the secondary.
Bryce Schmeck, Jr., RB/LB/P: Versatile contributor expected to make an impact as a runner, linebacker and punter.
Owen Bentz, Sr., WR/CB: Experienced receiver and defensive back capable of making big plays in all three phases.
Alex Soto, Sr., WR: Veteran target who provides experience and reliability in the passing game.
Waylon Gaffney, Jr., OL/DL: Returning starter expected to anchor both the offensive and defensive lines.
Jacob Wagner, Jr., OL: Experienced offensive lineman who will help lead a developing front.
Aiden Pepe, So., OL/LB/LS: Young two-way contributor with experience on offense, defense and special teams.
Andrew Arroyo, Sr., S: Veteran leader of an experienced secondary.
Alexander Valentino, Sr., LB: Senior linebacker expected to lead the front seven.
Elijah Metzler, Jr., CB: Returning starter who provides experience on the outside.
Logan Warke, Jr., S: Athletic defensive back expected to play a larger role in the secondary.
Landon Colson, So., S: Young safety who gained early varsity experience and should continue developing.
Aron Moser, So., K/P: Returning specialist expected to handle kicking duties.
My thoughts on Hamburg Area
Hamburg Area believes the hardest part of rebuilding has already begun.
The Hawks endured the growing pains that often accompany a coaching transition in 2025. Now, entering Year Two under Hartranft, the expectations are higher.
The offense returns nearly all of its key skill-position players, highlighted by quarterback Isaac McFadden, running backs Blaise Ernst and Bryce Schmeck, and veteran receivers Owen Bentz and Alex Soto. If the offensive line develops quickly after replacing several starters, Hamburg should be considerably more productive.
Defensively, the Hawks have experience throughout the linebacker corps and secondary. The biggest challenge will be rebuilding the defensive line, but the return of Waylon Gaffney provides an important piece around which to build.
Special teams also return continuity, giving Hamburg another area where experience should be an advantage.
While the Hawks remain one of the younger teams in Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 5, the overall experience gained last season, combined with a productive offseason, gives the program reason for optimism.
The next step isn’t simply winning more games—it’s becoming a consistently competitive football team capable of challenging the top programs in the section. If Hamburg continues to develop physically, protects the football and builds on the foundation established in Year One under Hartranft, the Hawks have the opportunity to show significant improvement throughout the 2026 season.
Head Coach: Tyler Hartranft
Assistant Coaches:
Damian Buggy
Jeff Chillot
Jude Bubeck
Erik Bubeck
Pat Hanlon
Toby Wolber
Nick McBreen
Jake Phillips
Richie Reinhart
Team Name: Hamburg Area Hawks
District: 3
Class: 3A
League: Lancaster-Lebanon League, Section 5
2025 Record: 2-8
8/22 @ Octorara Area (4A) 7:00 pm L 6-34
8/29 Midd-West (3A) 7:00 pm W 22-21
9/05 Bristol (2A) 7:00 pm L 14-35
9/12 Annville-Cleona* (3A) 7:00 pm L 0-42
9/19 @ Kutztown* (3A) 7:00 pm W 21-20
9/26 Lancaster Catholic* (2A) 7:00 pm L 10-35
10/03 Pequea Valley* (3A) 7:00 pm L 21-31
10/10 @ Schuylkill Valley* (3A) 7:00 pm L 13-31
10/17 Berks Catholic* (3A) 7:00 pm L 7-38
10/24 @ Columbia* (2A) 7:00 pm L 6-34
2026 Schedule:
Date Opponent Kickoff
8/22 Tamaqua Area (3A) 10:00 am Scrimmage
8/28 @ Midd-West (4A) 7:00 pm
9/04 @ Northern Lebanon (4A) 7:00 pm
9/11 Daniel Boone (4A) 7:00 pm
9/18 Berks Catholic* (3A) 7:00 pm
9/25 Pequea Valley* (3A) 7:00 pm
10/02 @ Lancaster Catholic* (2A) 7:00 pm
10/09 Columbia* (2A) 7:00 pm
10/16 @ Schuylkill Valley* (3A) 7:00 pm
10/23 Annville-Cleona* (3A) 7:00 pm
10/30 @ Kutztown* (4A) 7:00 pm
Key Starters lost:
WR/DB Ethan Horvath
OL/DL Astian Reppert
DL Sawyer Smith
OL/DL John Sharp
OL/DL Cayden Mason
Offensive Starters Returning:
WR Owen Bentz – Sr.
RB Blaise Ernst – Sr.
WR Alex Soto – Sr.
OL Waylon Gaffney – Jr.
RB Bryce Schmeck – Jr.
OL Jacob Wagner – Jr.
QB Isaac McFadden – So.
OL Aiden Pepe – So.
Defensive Starters Returning:
SAF Andrew Arroyo – Sr.
CB Owen Bentz – Sr.
SAF Blaise Ernst – Sr.
LB Alexander Valentino – Sr.
DL Waylon Gaffney – Jr.
CB Elijah Metzler – Jr.
LB Bryce Schmeck – Jr.
SAF Logan Warke – Jr.
SAF Landon Colson – So.
LB Aiden Pepe – So.
Special Team Starters Returning:
P Bryce Schmeck – Jr.
K/P Aron Moser – So.
LS Aiden Pepe – So.
H Noah Menapace – So.
Key Newcomers:
WR/CB Carlos Rodriguez – Sr.
CB Daivion Henderson – Jr.
OL/DL Gabe Kuhns – So.
WR/SAF Noah Menapace – So.
2026 Outlook: We return a lot of our skill players from the 2025 season who gained valuable varsity experience, and we’re excited about their growth. This will be Year two in our system, and we feel the foundation of our program has been established. Now it’s about taking the next step.
Our team has had a strong offseason in the weight room, and we’re excited about the players we have returning on both sides of the ball. We expect to be a much-improved football team in 2026.